Railway signaling device



Patented Aug. 3, 1920. 1 4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

E. H. MEDEN. RAILWAY SIGNALING DEVIE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. l5. ISIS 1,348,508.

INVENTOH @MM fm/IMM TTD/M Y QN du QN :Umm um um Q @MN .QN

E. H. MEDEN.

RAILWAY SIGNALING DEVICE.

APPLlcAmN man FEB.15. |918.

1 348,508 Patented Aug. 3, 1920.

4 SHEETSSHEET 2.

INVENTUR @UM/W 41% E. H. MEDN.

RAILWAY SIGNALING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. l5, 1918- 1,348,508. Patented Aug. 3, 1920..

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

E. H. MEDEN.

RAILWAY SIGNALING DEVICE.

APPUCATION'FILED Patented Aug. 3, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4 Ff INVENTOR A TTOHNEY UNITED l-s'mfrlfsi PATENT Yolffllei. a

Eton II. NEDEN, on ELIZABETH, NEW JEEsEYf,y AssIeNon, BY MEsNE ASSIGNMENTS; moA. si A. RAILWAY yLIGHT a SIGNAL 00.-, INc.,oE ELIZABETH, NEWJEfasErz, A

CORPORATION OF NEW i To whom it may concern: l

B it known that I, ELoE I subject of the .King of Sweden, residin in the city oflllizahcth, county of Union, tate A further objectofliny inyention isto providey a Signaling' device for Arailways ,which may be operated .economically 4as compared with @simil-fir devices as thesanie heretofore have been constructed and placed in operation. y

A still further object of my invention is to provide a device in which normally the danger signal is displayed,but which upon the approach of a train, engine( or ythe like wirlnhdisplay afcaution crrcloar signal,` as the caseinaye.A l .1 Another obiect of my invention istofprpvid a signaling" device which iswell adapted for'ljothdaylight andlnightuse.

Other-lol`ijects and advantages" Of'iiy. vention willlbereferi'edto 'specifically in the detaileddescription 'thereofwhich 'fol lows or will loe apparent frein siicyshvde!A y y v l y i electro-magnets 6. The sections of the rails Inthe accompanying drawings forming a part oflthis specification I have illustrated" .l certain forms of constructions showin cer- ` tain leinbodiin'en'ts ci my.invention,`. iit it i Figure Lais aviewashowin r will .be understood 'that 'the saine s` susceptible kof en'ibediineiit in otheniorins: of Jeon-` struction withfinthe scope of theclzliiins."` 'l gnimatieally, agportion of railway ack, track circuits, signalfcontroll circuisgrand devfcjesV operated thereby Vco'nstrucned` In 'ang 1 Fig. 2 is a view partiyin vertical scl speoieation'of Letters Patent.

Mists, a

l l l graninliitically IIAILwAv SIGNALNG DEVICE.

Patented Aug; 3, 1,9270.

y Application med February i5, ii. 'serial No. 217,299`.'

I tion andpartly in side elevation of asignel and the post supporting the saine con'- strueted and adapter to, operate in accordance with vmy. invention Fig. 3 is a view in cievation of the upper portion of the `post and the signal, looking toward the left inF'ig. 2; i i

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the Si nal mechanism shown in Fig. 2, a portion o` the casing surrounding the signal light being shown in horizontal section, but other por tions `of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2 beiii omitted;

0n the 1ine-5.-'5i.0flFg-2s Yno'ii'tal sectionandfpartly in top plan ofthe portion Vof the signallight' mechanism shown 1g. 5 is a transverse sectional. viewtaken f 6 4is ka Lview' .partly in centraliY in Fig. 4, they casingsurroundinglthe signal 1i ht *being omitted; f

i. i f. i Y Y .i igx is a vertical sectional view Vtaken on the line 7 7 of Fig. G;

li" S is a view partly in vertical section and partly in side elevation showing a modi- Vied construction of signal lighting apparatus embodying my invention;

Fig. 9 is a view sirn'iiar to that shown in Figli showing still another modification of iny invention; Y

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view .of an electroemagnet and .associated parts "show-4 inf details of construction thereof.l Y

nJdiev drawings 1 designates' a; railway track` Vover which pass railway. trains, etc., indicated' rsynibolically at '2,2F`a'nd 2b( .f3 designates the batteries of awt'rack circuit including verections' of .the rails Yand .the ,wires 4 and 5,',each` of the said circuits.v including referred to are included between the 'trans-V verse phearvy lines 7 These electro-magnets actuate and control armatures'w, l1.1 aiiclfl;

track cincuit. and electro-magnet for each .9,5 Qtheiefbeing one set of armatures and one' `l section of railway track; .These armatures f \l011land 124 constitute and forl PE1-43S. of Q the signal "control circuits .which 'exten-d .through signal actuating The signal 17 is shown in full lines'in' the caution position, while the signals 17, 17c and 17d are shown in the danger position. The signal 17 b is shown in the clear position.

2O designates batteries, there being shown one battery for each of the sections above referred to. These batteries furnish the current for the circuits including the electro-magnets 15 and 16 above referred to, and it is the passage of current through these circuits that actuates or contiols the si nals 17, 17, 17", etc.

`racing the current through the circuits controlling the signal 17", it will be found to travel through the line 21, the armature 10, line 22, ground line 23, line 24 armature 11 (at the right hand side of Fig. 1) line 25, armature 12 (in the fourth group of armatures from the left in Fig. 1), line 26, through the electro-magnet 1G and line 27 to battery 20.

It will also be noted that the circuit passes through the line 21, armature 1U, line 22, ground line 23, line 28, armature 1.1 (in the fourth group of armatures counting from the left in Fig. 1),y line 29, electro-magnet 15 and line 27 to the battery 20.

It will thus be seen that when the signal is shown in clear position both ofthe electro magnets are energized. When in the caution position as shown at 17 in Fig. 1 only i the electro-magnet 15 is energized. This may be seen or demonstrated by tracing the circuit from the battery 2() shown at the left hand side of Fig. l.

Normally and when the signal is in the danger position neither of the electro-magnets 15 or 16 is energized, so that the red li ht or danger signal is displayed: In otilier words, normally the signal indicates danger, and it is only when a train, engine, ete., is approaching a signal and when the track ahead is clear that the signal device moves into the clear position indicatinl that the train may proceed rapidly and without caution. In case, however, there are two trains in positions, such as the trains 2 and 21V in Fig. l, said ytrains being separated by an intervenin section, such as is indicated between the ines 7-7 reviously referred to, the signal 17 is caused to be moved into the caution position, as already stated. On the other hand should there be a train, such as that indicated by the dotted lines at 31 in Fig. 1 in the section adjacent to that in which the train at 2is located the signal 17 would remain in the danger position, thatis, in a horizontal position as is the case with signal 17a. This can be readily seen by tracing the circuit. from the battery 20 at the lefjthand side of Fig. 1 and assuming that a trainis infa position indicated b dotted linesBl in Fig. 1, in which case t ye track `circuit will, be short-circuited sov that the electro-magnet 6 would be denergized, -permitting the armatures 10, 11 and 12 in the second group of armatures counting from the left of Fig. 1 to drop or fall so as to permit the armature 10 to all against the contact 32, while at the same time permitting the armatures 11 and 12 tov move away from the contacts 33 and 34.

The circuits and their general operation having been described, I shall now proceed with a description of the subsequent figures in the drawings in which l have illustrated concrete embodiments of devices constructed in accordance with my invention.

Referring first to Figs. 2 to 7 inclusive, 40 designates a post or Standard upon which the signaling apparatus for the respective sections of the system is supported. 41 desig nates a Hasher device of any suitable known construction to which gas is supplied through a pipe 42 which should proceed from a pressure regulator of any known construction. From the flasher the gas is conducted to a burner at 43. 44 designates a pipe for supplying gas for a pilot burner. A though .l prefer to employ a flasher device such as 41 ecause by its use a saving in gas can be effected, still it will be understood that the use of a flasher may be dispensed with in which case the burner 43 would remain at all times active.

The light from the burner 43 passes out through a condensing or other lens 50 which is supported in a frame 51 in a side of the casing 52 and at the center of a disk supported upon said side of said casing.

The lens 50 is situated at the bottom of an open chamber 54, formed upon the disk 53, the said chamber being surrounded by a series of pockets or chambers 55 and the latter in turn being surrounded by a series of pockets or chambers 56. These cham* bers or pockets are formed by laterally extending and projecting walls or iiange like portions as is clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings. The presence of these walls shuts off the sunlight from the surface of the disk 53, that is, throws a shadow over the surface of said disk' so that the light is rendered more plainly visible in the day time. By reason o thus producing a shadow upon the surface of disk 53 the devicekis rendered more suitable for daylight wor The color of the light rays which are transmitted through the lens 50 depends on the position of the pivotally supported quadrant shaped member 58 having openings 59, 60 and 61 in which openin s are situated glasses 59a, 60a and 61a of di erent colors,- that in the opening 59 being red, that in the openinr 6p being yellow and that in the opening 61 ein green, as illustrated in Fig. 7, the first in icatin danger, the second caution and the thir clear or no danger.

The quadrant shaped member 58 nori constituting a mallyV isv in the position shown in the'drawings with the light'from the burner 43 showingZ through'the red colored'g'lass 59a and the ilens 50.

In order to counterbalance the weight of th portion of the member 58 containing the openings 59,6() and 61, I have provided an extended portion 63 as `clearly indicated in the drawings constituting a counterbalance Weight. y The quadrant shaped member 58 is rigidly and fxedly secured to a Vshaft 65 upon whichV is mounted an armature 166 Vloetween thepoles''( and 68 of an electro-magnet the coil of which is shown at 69 extending around the base 7() of said magnet, the said electro-magnet corresponding to the electro-magnet 16 shown in Fig. 1.

The shat 65 is in alinement with a shaft 71, the said two shafts being connected so as to be relatively rotatable as will hereinafter be described.

Shaft 71 is provided with an armature 72 which is situated between the poles of an Eelectro-magnet, pole 74 only of which is shown in `ig. 6, the coil 75 of which is shown as being coiled around the base 76 of said magnet, the said electro-magnet corresponding to the electro-magnet 15 shown in Fig. 1. The shaft '65 is supported in bearings in the upperends of posts 77, while the shaft 71 is supported in bearings in the upper ends of posts 78.

' The shaft 71 is provided upon its inner end (which is in adjacent opposing relation to the inner end of shaft 65) with a sleeve 80, said sleeve being secured to the shaft 71 by means of a pin 81.

Sleeve 80 is provided with a projection 82 shoulder which engages a projecting end of a pin 84 which extends through the adjacent end of the shaft 65. Normally, that is, when the electro-magnets are denergized or inactive the projecting A portion of pin 84 is substantially in contact with the shoulder 82. "When in such position thc armature 72 is in the kposition shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings.

Both armatures 66 and 72 are of Z-shape. VVhe'n in their normal, inactive positions as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, it will be noted that the armature 72 is in position with the projecting or Z-portions thereof overlapping to a considerable extent, as clearly shown in 'Fig 7, portions of the pole members of the magnet with which itis associated, while the armature 66 is in what may be termed or described as substantially a neutral position with regard to the poles 67 and 68.

Assuming that the-track is in condition with trains or engines 2 and 2i1 in the positions shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, it will be understood that the circuit through coil 75 of the magnet including the pole 74:

would be VVcompleted 4and that a current would liowgthrough the samethereloy energizingjthe said magnet. 'Ifhe result of so energizing the same would be that the armature 72 wouldV be caused' to rotate a distance sufficient to move the opening 60 and glass 60a into the position now occupied by the opening 59.

The glass 60 in the said opening 60 being yellow would indicate caution to train 2. The movement of the armature 72 and the shaft 71 effects a corresponding movement of the shaft 65 by reason of the engagement of the shoulder82 upon shaft 71 with the projecting end'of the pin 84 upon shaft 65.

The member 58'being secured to the shaft 65 moves with the latter. The extent of the movement of the armature 72 and the shaft 71 is limited by contact of a projecting lug 85 upon the said armature with the end portion of the pole 73.

In case the track had been clear, that is to say, in case the train or engine 2 had not beenY present the condition of the signal controlling circuits would have been such, as has been shown already, that the second magnet comprising the coil 69 and poles 67 and 68 would have been energized, so as to cause a continuation of the movement of shaft 65 and the armature 66 secured to and carried thereby independently of shaft 71, so as to bring the opening 61 and glass 61a therein into the position now occupied by theopening 59 and glass 59SL situated therein.

It should be noted that the first or preliminary movement of shaft 65 effected by reason of contact of shoulder 82 with the projecting end of pin 84 causes a movement of armature 66 into position to be fully acted upon by the lines of magnetic force between the poles 67 and 68 at the time of the cessation of the rotary movement of shaft 71. The limit of the movement of the shaft 65 and armature 66 is controlled by the contact of the projection with the end of the pole 67, Rotary movement of said shaft and armature in the opposite direction is limited by contact of said projection 9() with the outer end of pole 68. A

Immediately that the electro-magnets controlling the member V58 are denergized the said member 58 returns by gravity into its normal position as shown in the drawings in which the danger `signal is displayed.

In Vthe, modilied forms of construction shown in Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawings, I have omitted the pivoted oscillatory member 58 and instead thereof have provided a plurality of lights together with a plurality of stationary colored condensing lenses.

`In these two forms of construction, I have provided a device indicated as a whole by the reference numeral 91 for controlling and directing the flow of gas to whichever burner it maybe necessary to light in order to display the signal reql'lired.V

There are two of these devices provided l'or each signal lighting device. This is clearly shown in both of the Figs. S and 9.

The gas is admitted {irst to the lowermost of the said devices through a pipe 92. The said pipe 92 connnunicates with a passage 93, formed in what may be termed or described as the base portion 94 of the said device 91. The passage 93 communicates with passegeways 95 and 9G, the former leading to the second device 91 shown in both forms of construction'.

The several devices 91 illustrated in Figs. S and 9 are identical in construction. The base portion 911 olf the said device 91 is provided with a depression 9T at its inner central portion in which is situated an electromagnctically controlled valve which operates to close either the passageway 95 or the passageway 9G depending upon the condition of the electro-magnet 101 by means of which the said valve 100 is controlled. Normally the valve occupies a position to close the passageway 95. Uien in this position the passageway 93 is in communication with the passageway 96 through the magnet core 103, the latter passageway being in communication with a pipe 104 through which gas is supplied to burner 105. Said burner is situated in rear of th" red colored lens 10G. In the construction shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings, the burner 105 is active at all times except when the magnet 101 is energized. However, it will he understood that preferably Ya flasher device, such as is shown at 108 in Fig. 9 may be employed in order to render the operationof the device more economical. Further reference will be made to this flasher device later on in this specification.

In case, however, the trains, engines, etc. should be in positions indicated by the reference numerals 2and 2l in Fig. 1 of the drawings the caution signal should be displayed. iVhen in this position, and as has heen previously described the clectro-mag net 101 becomes energized with the result that the valve 100 is lifted from its seat so as to close the passageway 96 and simultaneously open the passageway 95 thus putting the passageway 93 into communication with the latter. The gas may pass, therefore` through the passageways 93 and 95 to the pipe 10T which is in communication with the upper device 91, the construction otwhich is in all respects the same as is illustrated in F 10 of the drawings so that the gas that passes from the pipe 107 into the said device is conducted through passageways 93 and 96 to a pipe 110 leading to a burner 111 situated in rear of the yellow colored condensing lens 112. It will he seen that now the flame or light of burner 105 has been extinguished and the burner 111 has been lighted.

Should it be that thertrack in front of the train indicated at 2 is clear the electromagnet in each oi the devices 91, shown in Figs 8 and 9 would be energized, as previously pointed out with the result that the valve 100 in the uppermost of the devices 91, shown in each of the two igures, would be moved into position to close the passageway 96 and thus prevent the passage of gas into the pipe 110. Such movement, as already described would put the passageway 93 into communication with passageway 95 so that the gas would pass through the upper device 91 into the pipe 115 leading to the uppermost burner 116 situated in rear 80 of the uppermost green colored condensing lens 117.

Constantly burning or lighted pilot burners 118 are provided for igniting the gas as it issues from the burners 105, 111, 116. The pilot burners 118 are supplied with gas from a. pi pe 120 having connection in Fig. 8 at 121 with the lowermost device 91 in said ligure. In Fig. 9 the pipe 120 instead of being connected with the lowermost device, 91 is connected with a pressure regulator 125. Gas is supplied from any suitable source Volf supply through a pipe 126 to the said pressure regulator. The gas is led from the said pressure regulator 9d through a pipe 12T to the flasher 108. From the said flasher the gasy is supplied at intervals through the pipe 92 (in Fig. 9) to the lowermost device 91. The flasher device 108 is not illustrated in further detail because 100 such devices are old and are at present in quite general commercial use.

In Fig. 8, as heretofore stated, the pipe 92 leads directly from the source of gas supply to the lowermost device 91. v

In both forms of construction shown in Figs. 8 and 9 I have provided what may be described or defined as a hood 130 surrounding the lenses 10G, 112 and 117, its purpose being to throw or cast a shadow over the said lenses and the surfaces of the frames surrounding and supporting them in order to darken the same so that they may be more readily and clearly visible in the daylight. In the brighter portions of the day, that is, the portions nearer noon time when the sun is nearer to or in a vertical position in the heavens the rays therefrom will strike the hood 130 and the latter will cast a shadow over the faces of the lenses 106, 111, 117 and the frames surrounding the same, as stated above.

It is not so essential that a shadow be thrown over such lenses in the earlier or later portions of the daylight period when he sunlight is not so bright.

In both forms of construction shown in Figs. 8 andV 9 I have provided a casing 131 for inclosing the operative parts of the structure illustrated in said figures. The

lower portion of thercasing in Fig. 9 is somewhat enlarged in order to enable it to receive and hold the flasher 108 in addition to the parts which are contained in the casing shown in Fig. 8.

In both forms of construction the lowermost devices 91 are supported upon the bottoms of the casings, while the uppermost of said devices are supported upon projecting flange-like portions 132 whichextend inwardly from a side wall thereof, as is clearly shown.

1. In a railway signaling device, the com` bination of a track circuit, a signal controlling circuit controlled by said track circuit, a plurality of magnets adapted to be energized by said signal controlling circuit, said magnets being provided with rotatable armatures arranged in axial alinement, means having connection with said armatures and movable thereby for controlling the character of signal displayed by said signaling device, and means whereby during the operation of the said device the said armatures move during a certain period simultaneously and together, and during a further period relatively Y with respect to each other.

2. In a railway signaling device, the combination of a light, an arm situated in front of said light, said arm having diil'erent colored glasses situated at intervals therein which are adapted to be moved into position in front of said light, a track circuit, signal controlling circuits controlled by said track circuit, a plurality of magnets adapted to be energized by said signal controlling circuits, said magnets having rotatable armatures which are operatively connected together, and the said arm having connection with one of said armatures and being movable thereby.

3. In a railway signaling device, the combination of a light, an arm situated in front of said light and being provided with portions of transparent material of different colors situated at intervals therein, a track circuit, signal control circuits adapted to be controlled by the said track circuit and the latter adapted to be controlled by the train movements upon the track. a plurality of magnets, said magnets each having an armature, means for operatively connecting the said armatures, and the said arm having connection with one of said armatures and moving therewith.

4. In a railway signaling device, the combination of a light, an arm situated in front of said light, said arm being provided with a plurality of openings closed by transparent material of different colors which are adapted to be moved into position in front of said light, a track circuit, signal control circuits adapted to be controlled by said track circuit, the latter adapted to be een trolled by movements of trains upon the said track, a plurality of magnets contrlled by said signal control circuits, said magnets each being provided with a rotatable armature, the axes of which are situated in alinement with each other, means for operatively connecting the said armatures to permit them to move in unison or relatively with respect to each other, and the said arm having connection with one of said armatures.

5. In a railway signaling device, the combination of a light, an arm situated in front of said light and having openings therein which are closed by transparent material of Vdifferent colors, which openings are adapted to be brought into position in front of said light to control the character of signal displayed, the said signals indicating danger, caution and clearf and the said arm being normally in position with the danger signal displayed, a track circuit, two signal control circuits, an electro-magnet in each of said circuits, each magnet being provided with a rotatable armature, means for operatively connecting the said armatures so that they may rotate in unison, and also relatively to each other, the said arm having connection with one of said armatures and rotative movement of one of said armatures causing movement of said arm to the caution position, and the continued movement of the other armature causing movement of said arm to the clear position, the said arm having connection with the last mentioned armature.

6. In a railway signaling device, the combination of a light, an arm situated in front of said light, said arm having openings therethrough closed by transparent material of different colors whereby danger, caution and clear signals may be displayed, a track circuit, signal control circuits controlled by said track circuit, electro-magnets situated in said signal control circuits, said magnets being independent of each other, and each being provided with a rotatable armature, said armatures being of Z-shape and one of said armatures overlapping the poles of the magnet with which it is associated while the other of said armatures is situated in a neutral position with respect to the poles of the magnet with which it is associated, means whereby said armatures are operatively connected with` each other, said armatures being movable in unison and also relatively with respect to each other, the rst part of the movement upon the energizing of the said electro-magnets causing movement of the second named armature from neutral into non-neutral position, whereby further movement thereof is effected by the action thereon of the magnet with which Lit is associated, and the said arm having connection with the last mentioned armature and being movable therewith.

7. In a railway signaiing device, the combination of a plurality of electro-magnets, rotatable armatures for said magnets, means for causing the said armatures to rotate together, the said means permitting relative rotation of said armatures, and a signal member secured to one of said armatures and rotating therewith.

S. In a signaling device, the combination of a plurality of electrounagnets, rotatable armatures therefor, means for operatively connecting the said armatures, the said means being adapted to cause the said farma@ tures to rotate simultaneously and toV permit reative rotation thereof, a signal arm secured to one of said armatures, the latter being adapted to be driven by the other when the magnet of said other is energized to cause movement of said arm part Way through its path, further Inovement'of said arm being effected by independent rotation of the armature to which said arm is'secured.

9. In a light signaling device, the combination of an electro-magnet,and a rotatable armature therefor, a second electro-magnet and a rotatable armature therefor, the first named armature normally being" in active position and the second named in inactive or neutral position, means for limiting the extent of rotation of the first named armature,V aVf connection betweenfthe Asaid armatures whereby rotation of the firstV named armature causes corresponding rotation of the second armature to carry it into active position with respect to its niagnet after which it may continue to rotate independently of the first named magnet, and a signal arm connected to said second named armature. 'l i 10. In a lightsignaling device, the coinbination of an electro-magnet, and a rota table armature therefor, a secondelectromagnet and a rotatable armature therefor, the first named armature 'normally being in active position and the'second named in inactive or neutral position, means for limit ingthe extent of rotation of the first named armature, a connection between the said armatures whereby rotation of the first named armature causes corresponding'rotation of the second armature to carry it into active position with respect to its magnet after which it may continue to rotate independently of the firstV named, a signal arm connected to Vsaid second named armature and a light associated with said arm.

In'testimony that 'Irclaim the foregoing as my invention, I have hereunto set my hand this 13th day of February, A. D. 1918t nLoF H. MEDN. 

